Amy Pascal and Michelle Sobrino-Stearns

Katie Lowes and Darby Stanchfield

Hannah Simone

Jennifer Hudson and Randy Jackson

Abbe Raven

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Philanthropy Bazaar

Simon Baker

Madison Moellers

Jessica Alba

Rebecca Wisocky and Ana Ortiz

Charlize Theron and Maria Bello

Nicole Kidman

Rena Ronson and Louise Ward

Amy Poehler and Jane Aronson

Abbe Raven

Renee Fleming and Diane Warren

Variety’s Power of Women

MC Aisha Tyler

Audi A7

Power of Women Class Photo

Honorees Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron on the red carpet. After speaking about her work with UN Women, Kidman said, “I am asking you today to advocate for women’s rights, that’s human rights and family rights.”

Honorees Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron chat at Variety’s 5th annual Power of Women event. “HIV is not an African issue, it’s a human rights issue,” said Theron.

Honorees Amy Poehler and Elizabeth Banks at Variety’s Power of Women event. Elizabeth Banks starred and directed in a short film PSA about heart disease. Jesse Tyler Ferguson said of Banks: “Liz Banks is the only person I know who can find humor in a heart attack.”

Honoree Kerry Washington at Variety’s Power of Women event. “When you give a child arts education, you’re giving them a chance to change their lives,” she said.

Honoree Jennifer Hudson

Maria Bello and Variety’s publisher Michelle Sobrino Stearns

The seven honorees and their charities:

Elizabeth Banks – American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women

Jennifer Hudson – Samsung Galaxy Impact Award for her work with the Julian D. King Gift Foundation

Nicole Kidman – UN Women

Amy Pascal – Teen Line

Amy Poehler – Worldwide Orphans Foundation

Charlize Theron – Charlize Theron Africa Outreach

Kerry Washington – President’s Commitee on the Arts and the Humanities

Jessica Alba is one of the co-founders of the Honest Company, which makes non-toxic, eco-friendly family products.

Sony co-chairman Amy Pascal, one of the seven honorees, and Variety publisher Michelle Sobrino-Stearns. Pascal encouraged everyone to have sisters — “it doesn’t have to be a woman, but it helps.” She also said in her speech, “Anyone who tells you that women don’t help each other is a man.”

It’s an American Idol reunion for Jennifer Hudson and Randy Jackson. Jackson presented the Samsung Galaxy Impact Award to Hudson for utilizing social media to support underprivileged youth with the Julian D. King Gift Foundation.

A&E’s Abbe Raven on the red carpet. Lifetime has been a sponsor of the Power of Women event since its founding. Raven called the honorees “luminaries who continue to light the path for the rest of us.”

Even men appreciate the Power of Women — showing his support is “Modern Family’s” Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Ferguson introduced Elizabeth Banks, and said he admired the way she moves effortlessly as an actor through film, television, drama and comedy. “She is also a wonderful mother and wife and a very loyal friend,” Ferguson said.

Guests had the opportunity to mingle with the honorees’ charities and sponsors at a Philanthropy Bazaar.

Longtime friend Simon Baker was on hand to honor Nicole Kidman. Baker’s wife went to school with Kidman.

A future Power of Women honoree: Madison Moellers

Jessica Alba stunned in a metallic houndstooth cocktail dress.

Rebecca Wisocky and Ana Ortiz of Lifetime’s “Devious Maids”

Charlize Theron and Maria Bello

UN Women’s Nicole Kidman said her mother taught her never to be afraid of the f-word: feminism.

UTA’s Rena Ronson and Louise Ward

Amy Poehler and founder of Worldwide Orphans Foundation Dr. Jane Aronson. Aronson recounted taking Poehler on a trip to Haiti to work with WWO. “One of the most important things I’ve ever done is to find a place for Amy to pee in the forest,” Aronson said.

Poehler gave a touching and funny speech and ended with this plea: “Thank you to all the bossy, right amount of crazy women in this room. Giving to charity is good for your skin and makes your ass smaller.”

Abbe Raven encouraged women storytelling at Variety’s Power of Women.

Variety’s editor-in-chiefs of television and film, Cynthia Littleton and Claudia Eller with Michelle Sobrino

Aisha Tyler hosted Variety’s Power of Women event.

Audi is one of the proud sponsors of the fifth annual Power of Women event.